She'll be in for a beating if she does.
What will you do different next time?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
Having about 2 1/2 years into a frame off, I have a number of things that I would do different next time. I think others have had the same thoughts.
Lets share those ideas.
I'll start;
#1~I'm doing a '74 this time but I should have started with a chrome bumpered car.
#2~Car had 3 coats of paint. I should have stripped it to bare 'glass.
What would you do different next time?
Blain
Lets share those ideas.
I'll start;
#1~I'm doing a '74 this time but I should have started with a chrome bumpered car.
#2~Car had 3 coats of paint. I should have stripped it to bare 'glass.
What would you do different next time?
Blain
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 297
Likes: 1
From: El Dorado Hills California
I like that list of what we did right. Here's mine;
Like working with a local powder coater to do parts at his convenience. (save $$)
Buy an AIM early in the process.
Ditto for a wiring diagram.
Having a 2nd car for parts. Not many interchange '74 to '78 but those that do were worth sacrificing the '78.
Should we start a "Done right" thread?
Blain
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 56
From: Antioch IL
Differently?
Get a bigger wad of cash that would:
1. upgrade garage insulation for tighter environment
2. refinish concrete floor
3. install a natural gas shop heater
4. route water & drain
5. install 2-post lift
6. have more fun bleeding & healing
The rest are just details.
Get a bigger wad of cash that would:
1. upgrade garage insulation for tighter environment
2. refinish concrete floor
3. install a natural gas shop heater
4. route water & drain
5. install 2-post lift
6. have more fun bleeding & healing
The rest are just details.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
1. Bought a project car that someone with the same idea had already started. They were everywhere about a year into my project.
2. Used a hot rod style LS supercharger instead of the C5
3. Did everything I could to mount the AC down low
4. Used a mini fuse block and mounted it in a better location
5. Figured out the intake plumbing before then engine compartment was painted.
That's really my only regrets which is not a whole lot considering...
2. Used a hot rod style LS supercharger instead of the C5
3. Did everything I could to mount the AC down low
4. Used a mini fuse block and mounted it in a better location
5. Figured out the intake plumbing before then engine compartment was painted.
That's really my only regrets which is not a whole lot considering...
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
I would kick my neighbor's butt for letting their dog out without a leash and pi$$ing on my wheels. Too late to do it now because, like a dog, they wouldn't know why I did it........Oh what the heck! It will make me feel better.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 297
Likes: 1
From: El Dorado Hills California
Some interesting responses. The neighbors dog and wheel story was not what I expected but a valid reason for handling it different next time.
As many body-off projects are going on or have been completed, I would expect more experiences to be shared. Are we holding our cards close to the vest? Show your hand!
One more from me; Would not have bought the firewall insulation for a couple hundered dollars and just bought a roll of FatMat instead. Resto-mod so authenticity was not an issue.
Anyone else?
Blain
As many body-off projects are going on or have been completed, I would expect more experiences to be shared. Are we holding our cards close to the vest? Show your hand!
One more from me; Would not have bought the firewall insulation for a couple hundered dollars and just bought a roll of FatMat instead. Resto-mod so authenticity was not an issue.
Anyone else?
Blain
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 850
Likes: 36
From: Providence RI
I would have started my search earlier, and looked at more cars.
But aside from that, I read up on C3's for about a year on this forum, heeded everyone's advice and learned from their experiences, especially about buying the best car I could afford and avoiding the money-traps in condition, and have been exceedingly pleased by my '71.
But aside from that, I read up on C3's for about a year on this forum, heeded everyone's advice and learned from their experiences, especially about buying the best car I could afford and avoiding the money-traps in condition, and have been exceedingly pleased by my '71.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: Belair Md
regrets
I would have done more homework, joined this forum and not been in a hurry to buy! and would have finished my first project before buying anything. oh yeah and hit lotto just in case I screed the pooch. and I would have left my car a under car exhaust instead of changing to side exhaust
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
I just bought my 69 and came into this thread thinking i'd get some valuable information.
For the most part it seems like tiny things that you would do differently.
Sure money, space, time,..... all of us would like.
I can't say i have any regrets now but it's looking like i might have a few reading some of the posts here.
1. doing a suspension rebuild instead of a body off...which will most likely later be turned into a body off.
2. painting all my parts instead of powder coating...
3. bought a very cheap car with the intention of making it worth more.. only thing is I like to make it into my own car....which isn't the smartest or cheapest route.
things I'm most likely doing right.
1. Doing my own work.
2. Started with a car i know i'll enjoy( 69 chrome bumper with 4speed)
3. Don't care about matching numbers......
4. I'm in no hurry to get it done nor am I looking at spending all my money on it at once.
For the most part it seems like tiny things that you would do differently.
Sure money, space, time,..... all of us would like.
I can't say i have any regrets now but it's looking like i might have a few reading some of the posts here.
1. doing a suspension rebuild instead of a body off...which will most likely later be turned into a body off.
2. painting all my parts instead of powder coating...
3. bought a very cheap car with the intention of making it worth more.. only thing is I like to make it into my own car....which isn't the smartest or cheapest route.
things I'm most likely doing right.
1. Doing my own work.
2. Started with a car i know i'll enjoy( 69 chrome bumper with 4speed)
3. Don't care about matching numbers......
4. I'm in no hurry to get it done nor am I looking at spending all my money on it at once.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Looking back, my only regret is the 3 hits the car has sustained, NONE of which was my fault.....
but then again over 15 years maybe not so bad.....
the hits have push various modifications to the front lights over the years....
the list of modifications is very long, and so it's a hotrod that still gets compliments from the 5-5 crowd, and more so from the 20-20 crowd....
I suppose if I had today's knowledge, I would have put in a Borgeson box instead of the rack that's in there....
about the only modifications that have been internet inspired were the rack and the hydroboost, all the rest has been me....
but then again over 15 years maybe not so bad.....
the hits have push various modifications to the front lights over the years....
the list of modifications is very long, and so it's a hotrod that still gets compliments from the 5-5 crowd, and more so from the 20-20 crowd....
I suppose if I had today's knowledge, I would have put in a Borgeson box instead of the rack that's in there....
about the only modifications that have been internet inspired were the rack and the hydroboost, all the rest has been me....
